The OCA are pleased to announce that a funds contribution in the amount of $5500 by the CCA, in collarboration with Sport Canada, will go towards Women's Cycling Programs that will be administered by the OCA. The contribution is a great step in achieving our objective of increasing participation rates of women in organized cycling in our province and offering specialized services for these women. We believe that it is important that all segments within the Ontario community should have the opportunity to experience the sport of cycling.

The funds contribution will allow us to cover the cost of the following three associated projects:

Fast and Female is a not for profit organization dedicated to empowering young women aged 9 to 19 through the power of sport. They will be running a MTB program at Hardwood Hills on Saturday, June 2nd. Details for this event have yet to be confirmed, so please check out the "Fast and Female" website (under the Events section) regularly for information about this program: fastandfemale.com, or contact Marie-Hélène Thibeault (mthibeault@fastandfemale.com).

CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton will be delivering the Go Girls! Program between April and July. This is a newly administered girls only introductory cycling program that will be run by girls. Please visit the CHCH NCCH website for more information (ncch.ca), or contact Rick Lee (rick.lee@cnnch.ca).

The OCA Joyride 150 Women's Weekend will kick off once again in February of 2013. The Joyride 150 Indoor Bike park, located in Markham, is a multi discipline indoor bike park that can be enjoyed by cycling enthusiasts of all skill levels year round.The park features skinnies, lines, foam pit jump area, and BMX street park just to name a few. This facility is the perfect setting for this event, and in the past we have had good participation rates for the Women's Weekend. For information on the most recent Women's Weekend event please go Here. Please visit the "Joyride 150" website for more information regarding this event (www.joyride150.com), or contact Brendan Arnold (racing@ontariocycling.org).

The OCA would like to thank the CCA for contributing these funds to these great programs, which will go a long way to developing the sport of cycling in Ontario.

These programs are a great opportunity for all you ladies to have a bit of fun, be active, and bond with other girls within the cycling community. Bring your friends and family members - each of these programs focuses on enjoyment; and girls of all age groups and various skill levels are encouraged to get involved. So check it out and we hope to see you there!